Broomcorn-harvesting machine



Nov. l8, 192 7.

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BROOM CORN HARVESTIG MACHINE Filed Sept. 2,6, 1925 lOIShet-V-Sleet 1 Nov.- 8, 192.7.

S. UDSTAD ET AL BROOM CORN HARVESTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 26, 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 gif/df?! 11i/iam Z7 @Zz/C5723.

Nov. s, 1927. l1,648,749

S. UDSTAD ET Al..

BRooM CORN HARVESTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 26, 1925 10 Sheets-"Sliet 5 Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,749

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BROOK CORN HARVESTING MACHINE med sept. 26. 1925 manure-sheet 4 Illln..4

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Nv.s8, 1927i. 1,648,749

S. UDSTAD ET AL BROOM CORN HARVESTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 26, 1925 l0 Shafts-511601:. 5

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. S. UDSTAD ET AL BROOM CORN HARVESTING MACHINE ed Sept. 26, l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 w E. QQ Q [7? M6717@ 71S.'

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S. UDSTAD ET AL BROOM ,CORN HARVESTING MACHINE Filed 1.26 19211` 1o sheets-sheet e Nov. s, 1927. 1,648,749 s, UDsTAD ET A1.

BROOM CORN HARVESTING MACHINE H155 sept. 26, 1925 l0 sheets-shea# 9 Nov. 8, 1927.

S. UDSTAD ET AL BROOM CORN HARVESTING MACHINE v Filed Sept. 26. 1925 10 SheetsSheet 10 4 wm www; @OOYOGOOO Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

unirse STATES PATENT OFFICE..

' sIvER'r UDSTALD, or AURORA, ILLINOIS, AND WILLIAM T. OWENS, or LYOAN,

COLORADO. l

BROOMCORN-HARVESTING FIACHINE.

Application filed September 26, 1925. Serial 1v\1'o..58,588.

rli`his invention relates to machines for har vesting and lthreshing broom-corn.

One object of our invention is to provide a machine, which while being moved through the field will perform all the necessary-functions, to gather in and cut the tops or upper ends off the standing stalks, cut or trim the severed tops: at the root or joint of the boots, seed or thresh the tops, strip the boots therefrom, and finally discharge the tops from the machine into a suitable receiving hopper or trough, all as a continuous and automa-tic Operation.

A further object of our invention is to incorporate in the machine means for' causing the severed tops to all assun'ie the same positions and thus enable their boot and bush ends to be properly presented to the bootcutting and seed-threshing assemblies, respectively.

A further object of our invention is to make the gatherer and boot cutter assemblies adjustable so that they may be set either for standard or for dwarf corn.

further 'feature of the invention is to provide a` simple and effect-ive boot stripper assembly and embody it in the machine as a unit or part thereof so that the boot stripping operation will be performed as one of Vthe automatic operations of the machine.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a topplan view of our impro-ved machine;

Fig. la is a top plan view of a modified form of stalk gatherer;

Fig. Q is a side view of the machine;

Fig. 2a is an enlarged vertical sectional view Yof a pocket or stop assembly to be hereinaftcr described;

Fig. 2b isan end view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the machine;

Fig'. 4I is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line Lil-at of Figs. l and 5;

Fig. 5

is a fragmentary vertical sectional 5-5 of Fig. 4;'

a vertical sectional view on 'Fig'. 'i' isan enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the gatherer chain and cutter assembly;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on line 8 8 of Fig. l;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the collecting conveyor on line y Figs. l0 and ll are side and end views,

respectively, of the boot stripping` wheel;

Fig. 12 is a diametrical sectional view through a` hub of said wheel on line lil-l2 of Fig. 1l; l

Fig. 13 is a side view of the grasping chains of the'boot stripping assembly;

` Fig. ltis a vertical sectional view on line lei-11i of Fig. 13; and

Figs. l5 and lf3 are detail views of the boot cutter assembly, Fig. 16 being a 'vertical section on line iti-1G of Fig. l5.

In the drawings, l indicates the main frame of the machine. This frame is horizontally disposed and has a pair of front wheels 2, 2 and a pair of rear wheels 3, 3, the latter being a cleated driving wheel, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3. The rear wheels 3, 3L are mounted on an axle 4 connected to the frame, the cleated wheel 3fL furnishing the power for the machine in the movement of the samethrough the field.

Supported above the frame l, in a manner to be hereinafter described, is the stalla: gathering and cutting assembly. This mechanism Ais preferably located to one side of the frame l and projects forward of the same, as

shown in Fig. l. Said mechanism includes horizontally disposed upper and lower pairs of conveyor chains 5, 5 and 6, 6, respectively. Arranged in front of these chains and cooperating therewith are outspread or divergent elements either in the forni of conveyer chains 7, 7, as shown in Fig. l, or guide bars 7, 7, as shown in Fig. lf, These elements are between tl e upper and lower chains 5, 6 and gather in the standing stalks and guide them into the spaces between the opposed inner leads of chainsr 5, 6 in the movement of the machine through the field.

Chains 5, 6 are carried by a frame 8, in which are journaled two pairs of vertical shafts 9,. l0, there being apair of these shafts rat the opposite ends of the chains for driving them, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The rear shafts extend below the frame 8 and have iiXed thereto bevel gears 11, 11 (Fig. 8) in mesh with similar gears 12, 12 fixed to a horizontal shaft 13. This shaft is journaled in brackets 14, 14 at the upper end of an upwardly inclined auxiliary frame 15 of a collector, to be hereinafter described.

Chains 5, 6 are provided about their outer jiieripheries with lugs or teeth 16, 16, as best shown in Fig. 7. Said lugs alternate on passing-between the inner leads of the chains 5, 6 to engage the upper ends or tops a of the stalks and guide them to and past the cutter assembly to be presently described. The two pairs of chains 5, 6 are vertically spaced apart to engage the upper ends or tops e of the stalks at separated points to hold them upright while passing between the chains, as shown in Fig. 2.

The'cutter assembly includes a blade 17 fixed to the frame 8 below the lower set of chains 6, 6 and adjacent the front end thereof, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7. A toothed wheel 18 in its rotation presses the stalks against the cutting edge of the blade 17 to cut off the tops e; from the stalks. An inclined rod or bar 19 attached to the frame 8 extends rearward over the blade and guides the stalks between the blade and the wheel.

Said wheel 18 is fixed to a vertical shaft 20 journaled in the frame 8 and driven from one of the front shafts 9 by a sprocket chain 21, as shown in Fig. 2. The divergent chains 7, 7, when used, are driven from the front shafts 9, 9 and are supported in front of the machine from bars 22, 22 pivotally carried on the shafts 9, 9 so that the spread of the chains may be varied.

A bracket 23 pivotally supports the rear end of the frame 8 on the horizontal shaft 13 and enables the front end of said frame to be moved up or down to adjust the frame 8 for stalks of different heights, thereby adapting` the machine for standard as well as dwarf corn.

The forward end of the frame 8 is adjusted through a link 24 extending between the frames 1 and 8 and having` pivotal connection with both. The lower end of 'this link 24 is pivotally connected with the frame 1 through an arm 25 fixed to a horizontal shaft 26 journaled in upright standards 27 on said frame, as shown iu Figs. 2 and 3. Shaft 26 is turner by a hand lever 28 for adjusting the front end of the frame 8. Said lever 28 cri-operates with a notched segment 29 for holdingr the forward end of the frame 8 in its adjusted positions. As shown in Fi g. 2, the link 24 has an adjustable connection with the arm by a bolt and a plurality of holes in the respective parts. A coiled spring 30 is connected with the frame 1 and the upper end of the arm 25 to'assist in adjusting the frame.

lo the rear of the frame 8 is a downwardly inclined collector 31 in the form of an endless conveyor comprising a plurality of laterally narrow shallow pans or trays 32, 32, as shownin Figs. 1 to 5 and 9. These pans 32 are carried by a pair of conveyor chains 33 running over sprocket wheels 34,

34 on parallel shafts 35, 36, as shown in Fig. 9. rlhe shafts 35, 36 extend lengthwise of the frame 15, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and are journaied at the ends thereof.

Upright standards 37, 37 on the frame 1 at the rear end of the inclined frame 15 support a horizontal shaft 38 from which. the rear end of said frame 15 is supported by' brackets 39, 39 on said frame, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6. The shaft of the collector is driven by the shaft 38 by meshing bevel gears 40, 41 (Figs. 1 and 6) on said shafts 5 while the shaft 36 drives the horizontal shaft 13 by meshing bevel gears 43 on said shafts, as shown in Figs. 2 and Shaft 36 is adjustable in frame 154 by screws 36 to adjust the tension -on chains l The frame 1 is provided with a pair of upright standards 44, 44 (Figs. 2 and 3) beneath the upper or forward end of the inclined frame 15. An inverted yoke 45 is fixed to the under side of the frame 15 and has its depending` ends pivotally connected with the standards 44 by links 46, 46. By providing a series of holesin the links, the upper end of the frame 15 and consequently the rear end of the frame 8 may be adjusted up or down to level the gatherer toaccord with the vertical adjustment of its front end.

At the delivery or rear ends of the chains 5, 6, we provide means for causing the tops or severed upper ends a of the stalks to tip over backwards and drop into the pans 32 with their bush ends extending downwards, as shown in Fig. 2. To accomplish thiswe provide a stop 47, preferably in the form of an upwardly opening pocket (Figs. 2 and 2a) at the rear end of a channel bar 48 (Fig. 7 horizontally disposed beneath the lower chains 6, 6 and in line with the space between their inner leads. The bottom of this stop or pocket 47 is below the bottom wall of the channel bar 48, and the severed tops a drop down .into the pocket onrsliding off the rear end of said bar. The upper ends ef the tops are carried riarward while their lower ends are in the pocket 47 by a pair of chains 49, 49 which continue rearward from the upper chains 5, 5, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The chains 49, 49 are driven by the rear shafts 10, 1() of the chains 5, 6.

lVith the lower ends of the tops a resting in the pocket 47 and their upper' ends being moved rearward by the chains 49, the tops are tipped over backward and-on being released trom the chains 49 drop into the pans 32 with their bush ends downward, as shown in Fig.; 2. Closely spaced guide bars 50, 50 continue rearward beyond lthe chains 49 to prevent the tops from falling crosswise in or over the pans 32. The rear ends of these bars 50 are curved downwardso as to direct the upper ends of the tops into the pans.

Then the tops tall into the pans 32, they slidedown the same until their bush ends come to rest against the upstandingrear end walls 32a thereot. This lines up the bush ends of the tops and presents their severed or boot ends in position tor the subsequent seed threshing and boot stripping operations of the machine.

An upstanding stop board or plate 51 (Fig. 2) is fixed to the-'trame 15 at the rear or lower ends ot the pans to prevent the tops-slidingvout of the pans. The latter, as

.shown in Fig. 9 are shallower along one side than the other and have laterally extending side flanges 32h to project over the shallower sides of the adjacent pans to prevent the tops falling into the spaces between the pans and hindering the operation of the machine,

The shaft 38 is driven from. the cleated wheel 3a by a chain 52 trained over sprocket wheels 53, 54 (Figs. 2 and 6), the former being on the hub ot the wheel 3a andthe other on aV clutch sleeve 55 loose on the shaft 38. A clutch collar 55a is iixed to the shatt 38 at the sleeve 55 and cooperates therewith to connect the shatt to the wheel.

As the loaded pans 32 turn over the inner side ot the collector 31, the severed tops a in the pans are dischargcd'between.pairs ot upstanding bars 56, 57.- (Fig. 4), which catch the tops and guide them to a conveyer chain 58 vertically arranged and running in trent ot a threshing` cylinder 59. Said chain 58 carries a plurality ot. relatively long prongs 58a on its outer periphery tor engaging` the boot ends ot the tops and carrying them past the spiked cylinder he prongs 58a are arranged in pairs and relatively close together, so that they enter the tops above the joint of the boot to firmly hold the tops while being trimmed at their hoot ends and threshed at their bush ends.

)Wheels 60. 60 are on opposite sides ot the upper lead ot the chain 58 at its receiving end and have the prongs 58EL pass between them. These wheels serve to Vforce the tops down between and on the prongs'so that the tops will be held by the prongs against the pull of the threshing cylinder 59. 61 (Fig. 5) of the wheels 6() is supported above the trame 1 inany suitable manner.

The receiving end ot the` chain 58 runsy over a sprocket wheel 58b (Fig. 4) on a shaft 62 journaledon the main :trame 1. A toothed wheel 63'(Figs. 2 `and 3) is splined on this shaft in front of thechain 58 and copper The shatt Y atcs with a cutting blade 64 tor trimming off the severed or butt ends ot the tops just above the joint of the boot c, so that the latter may be readily stripped er pulledv from the tops in the subsequent operationsr ot the machine.

The wheel 63 and blade 64 are adjustable along the shaft 62 byineans ot the following construction. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, thewheel 63 rotates with a sleeve 65 splined on the shatt. Loose on this sleeve at one side oit the wheel is a collar 66. VThis collar is held trom rotation by an arm 67 having its outer end resting' on a horizontal. bar 68 Alined to the main trame 1. The cutter blade 64 is mounted on this arm and has its cutting yedO'e alonOside ot the wheel 63 as shown.

The collar 66 is held between shoulders or abutments on the sleeve and moves along with the sleeve in the adjustment ot the assembly along the shaft 62. plished by the lever 69 (Fig. 3) connected with a tube 70 on shaft 26, as shown in Fig. 3. An arm 71 is Afined to this tube and by a link 72 (Fig. 2) is connected with the sleeve 66. A latch on this lever and a notched segment 69a on the 'frame 1 holds the cutter blade and its Wheel in adjusted positions.

As shown 1n Fig. 4, the chain 58 extends il' A bar 72 (Fig. 4) is arranged beneath the upper lead of the chain 58 and preventssagging of the chain as it carries the tops past the cylinder 59. A pair ot bars 73, 73 are arranged above the chain 58 on opposite sides of the prongs 58a and keep the ends of the tops at the chain 'from raising ott the prongs while passing the cylinder 59. The ends of these guards 72, 73 at the delivery end of the chain 58 are curved upward to strip the tops trom the prongs as the latter turn over the sprocket wheel 7 4 at such end of the chain (Fig. 4). The lower bar 72 continues about the wheel and extends to the outer ends oi the prongs so as to tree all tops engaged therewith as the tops are passed to the boot stripping assembly. to be presently described. Theguides 72, 73 supported trom the frame 1 by suitable brackets, as shown in Fig. 4.

The cylinder 59 is driven at a relatively high speed by a belt 7 5 (Fig. 4) trained at This is accomone end over a large pulley 7G on the shaft 88 and at the otherl end over a snialler pulley 77 on the cylinder shaft 78, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. An adjustable belt tightening pulley engages the belt 75 between the pulleys 7G, 77, as shown in said Fig. 5. rllhe large pulley 76 carries a bevel gear 79 which n'ieshes with a like gear 80 on a shaft 81 (Figs. 1 and rllhis latter gear meshes with a like gear 82 on shaft 88. By this arrangement the threshing cylinder 59 is ro-' tated in the proper direction.

As shown in Fig. 6, shaft 8l is `iournaled above the fraine 1 in upright standards 81iL and a shaft 88 is journaled below the fraine 1 in hangers 88, the upper shaft driving the lower one by a sprocket chain 84. Shaft 88 drives shaft 85 at the delivery end of chain 58 by a sprocket chain 8G.

As explained, the chain 58 grasps the boot ends of the tops a so that their bush ends can be presented tothe threshing cylinder 59. As the tops leave the chain 58, they are grasped by their bush en ds so thatI their boots c may be presented to the boot stripping means.

Chain 58 delivers the tops onto a horizontal guide bar 87 (Fig. 4), which extends on across the frame 1 and beneath the conveyer chain 88 vertically disposed and having peripheral lugs 88, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. This chain 88 and guide 87 are offset slightly rearward of the chain 58 so that the boot ends of the tops project forward beyond the guide 87 and chain 88 to pass between the boot stripping wheel 89 and itsv co-operating roll 90, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

rPhe bush ends of the tops are delivered onto the upper lead of a conveyer chain 91 (Fig. 18) and are tightly gripped between said lead and the opposed lower lead of a co-operating upper chain 92 to hold the tops while the boots o are stripped or pulled therefrom by the wheel 89 and to resist the pull thereof. A bar 98 is arranged along the upper side of the lower lead of the upper chain 92 for preventing said lead releasing its grip on the bush ends of the tops as they are carried along by the chains. rlhreaded rods 98n extending downward from an upper support 981 hold the bar 98 against its chain. These rods are offset te one side of the chains 91, 92 and engage laterally project-ing lugs 98C on the bar, as shown in Fig. 184.

Chainv 91 is driven by shaft 85 at its receiving end, while chain 92 is driven freni the like end by a shaft 94 arranged above and offset to one side of shaft 85, as shown in Figs. 4 and 18. As shown in Fig. (3, shaft 94 carries a spur gear 95, which meshes with a like gear 98 on a short shaft 97, the latter being driven from shaft 88 by a sprocket chain 98.

As shown in Figs. 2, 8, 4 and more partic- These hubs have aligned ends, and the blades 99 are secured to the outer ends of these arins.

Blades 99 have serrated outer edges to facilitate gripping the boots c for pulling or stripping thein frein the bush ends of the tops. As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 4, the receiving end of the roll or cylinder is beveled or tapered and the blades are outwardly curved to perinit the Vboot ends of the tops to readily enter between the stripping wheel 89 and its roll 90. The arm 104 is bent to have its outer ends otl'set circuinferentially from the outer ends of its adj acent arins 105, so that the blades 99 connecting them will extend spirally across the wheel, as shown clearly in Fig. 10. This causes the blades to exert an outward pull on the boots when engagingA the saine and also equalize the circumferential pull of the wheel. f

The outer ends of the bars 108 extend beyond the arins 104, and are yieldably heldl on the hubs 100 by resilient bands' 108,

106. These allow the blades to give or yield backward, should the boot ends of the tops become bunched between the stripper wheel 89 and the roll 90 or be abnormally large, thereby relieving the pressure on the wheel without hindering its stripping action.

fis shown in Fig. 4, the shaft 101 of the stripping wheel carries a bevel gear 107 in niesh with a like gear 108 on a cross shaft 109 connected with shaft 94 on the chain 92 by a sprocket chain 110. The shaft of roll 90 has a bevel gear 111 in inesh with a like gear 112 on shaft 94 for rotating said cylinder.

After stripping the boots they are ready for delivery chine. As shown in Figs; 1 and 8, the delivery ends of the'conveyer chains 87 and 92 run over sprockets en a shaft 118 horizontally disposed at the side of the inachine opposite the collector 81. TheV delivery end of the lower chain 91 runs over a sprocket on a shaft 114 below and substantially parallel with the shaft 118, as shown in Figs. 4 and 18.

from the tops frein the inalill Means are provided for raising the tin- .ished tops to an elevated hopper 115 supbars 118 beneath the lower leads of these chains, as shownV in Fig. 3. The lowerv ends of these brs 11S are adjacent the delivery ends of the horizontal chains 87, 91 and for catching vthe linished tops as they are delivered from said chains.

The lower end of the frame 116 is mounted on the shaft 1.13 by arn'is 116 (Fig. et). This` frame l11G is held in its inclined position by braces 11E), which have their lower ends connected with frame 1 and the upper ends connected with a. shaft 120 at the upper end of the frame 115 and over which the chains 11G7 run on suitable sprockets,

` shown.

Two pairs of discs 121, 121 are fined to the shaft 120, there heilig a pair of discs for veach chain 11T and on opposite-sides thereof, as shown in F ig. 1. These discs strip the finished tops from betweenthe lugs of the chains as they turn upward about the shaft 120 and cansethe tops to drop into the hopper 115.

Briefiy the machine shown. and described operates asfollows.

The parts being set as shown in the drawings, the machine is drawn forward through a field of sttuiding` broom-corn. The stalks are gathered in by the divergent chains 7 .7 or bars 7, 7a, whicheverare en'iployed, and guided into the spaces between the upper a-nd'lower chains 5, 0. The tops are cut off of the stand-ing stalks by the cutter blade 17 and the severed tops are carried upright back toward the collector 31. by the chains 5, (i. These chains deliver the tops to the coliec tor 31, the tops being tipped over rearwardly to slide down the pans 32 with their bush endslowermost and their severed or butt ends uppermost.

The collector 31 delivers the tops to the chain 58 and at this point their butt ends are out oil or trimmed just along or nearthe joint of the boots or husks, by theblade &1. The chain 58 carries the bush. ends of the tops past the cylinder 59, bymean#| of` which the seeds are threshed out. After this operation, chain 58 delivers the threshed tops to conve/yer chains. 87 and 91 and 92, by which the bush ends of the tops yare held and car ried while the boots or hnsks are stripped oill and discharged from the machine by the stripper wheel S9 and its roll or eyfinder 90, the tops are thenv deliveredto the elevator chains 117 and are discharged into the hopper or trough 115 for taking from the ma i chine. l/Vhen this point is reached the nnished tops are ready for shipment and use' inthe make-up of'brooms.

As shown in Fig. 3, the front wheels 2, 2 havey a knuckle connection with the fixed front axle 122 like that used in the automobile andV truck design. A draft bar or tongue 128 is connected withthisaizle` so that i the machine may be pulled through a field.

As illustrated in Fig.r 7, the cutter blade 17 andits coeoperating wheel 18are adjustably connected wth the side member 8a of the frame 8 bymeans of elongated slots 125 and bolts 126. The blade. 17 is-securedto a cross-bar 127, and the latter has a rearward portion extending into the channel .of bar 4.8 for guiding the butt ends of the tops onto the latter.

The vfront shafts 9, 9 of theA chains 5, 6 are journaled in brackets 128, 128 having adjustable connection with the side bars Sn, S ofthe frame 8 so that the tension on the chains maybe controlled andl slack taken up. This adjustment is made through elongated slots 129 and bolts 130 in the respective parts, as shown. As shown in Fig. 12, the resilient bands 106 seat in grooves 100aeX- tending around the hubs 100. There are a Jair of these bands oneach hub, beingy arranged to engage the bars 103 on opposite sides of the arms 104, 105.

If desired, the operative parts of the machine could be driven independently'of the cleated wheel 3 by mounting a motor on the frame 1 and connecting it with the shaft 38 or taking power from a tractor used for pulling the machine. In `such a case the clutch collar n would be disconnected from the sleeve 55. As shownin Fig. 2a, the pocket Zi7 is laterally narrow to hold the tops from slipping sideways as their upper ends arel .carried rearward by the chains 19.

As shown in Fig. 15, the guide bars 56, 57 at the cutter means are connected together at ytheir lower ends and are there secured to the arm 67 so as to be carried with the .cutter in itsadjustment on the shaftf62.

The details of structure shown and described and the exact arrangement ofparts may 'e variously changed and modifiedl without departing from'the spirit and scope of our invention.

Vile claim as our invention:

1. In combination in a machine for harvesting and threshing vbroom-corn, means-for gathering` and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, means for severing the boots from thetops at thev oints therewith, means for threshing yseeds from the' bush endsV of the tops, andimeans for stripping the boots from the tops after'the threshing of the same.I all as consecutive and continuous operations in the movement of the machine.

l 2. In combination in a machine for harvesting and 'threshing broom-corn, means for gatheringand cutting the tops fromthe standing stalks, means for'severing the boots from the tops at their joints therewith, means vfor threshing seeds from the bush fil) ends of the tops, means between the gathering and threshing means for positioning the tops for the latter, and means for stripping the boots from the tops after the threshing of the same, all as consecutive and continuous operations in the movement of the machine.

3. In combination in a machine for harvesting and threshing broom-corn, means for gathering and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, means for severing the boots from the tops at their joints therewith, means for threshing seeds from the bush endsof the tops, means for stripping the boots from the tops after the threshing of the same, all as consecutive and continuous operations in the movement of the machine, and means for adjusting the gathering and boot severing means for .setting the machine for either standard or dwarf corn.

Il. In 'combination in a machine for harvesting 'and threshing broom-corn, means for gathering and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, means for severing the boots from the tops at their joints therewith, means for threshing seeds from the bush ends of the tops and afterward stripping the boots therefrom, and means for delivering the finished tops from the machine, all as consecutive and continuous operations in the movement of the machine through a lield.

5. In combination in a machine for harvesting and threshing broom-eorn, means at one side of the machine for gathering and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, means at the opposite side of the machine for discharging the finished tops therefrom,

' and means between said gathering and delivering means and co-operatmg therewith.

for carrying the tops across the machine and for threshing the seeds therefrom and afterwards stripping the boots from the threshed tops before delivery to said discharging means, all continuous and consecutive operations in the forward movement of the machine.

(i. In combination in a machine for harvesting and threshing broom-corn, means for gathering and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, means for threshing seeds from the bush ends of the tops and for stripping the' boots therefrom, and a collector between the thrcsher and gatherer for receiving the tops from the latter, said collector being inclined downward for causing 4the tops to slide down the same to present their bush and boot ends, respectively, in the same relative positions to the thresher and stripper.

7. In combination in a. machine vfor harvesting and threshing broom-corn, means for gathering and cutting` the tops from the standing stalks, means for threshing seeds from the bush ends of the tops andfor stripping the boots therefrom, and a collector in the form of a conveyer between the gatherer and thresher, said collector embracing a plu# rality of relatively shallow pans to receive the tops from the gatherer and deliver them to the thresher, said pans being inclined downward from the gatherer to the thresher for causing the tops to slide down the pans and present their bush and boot ends, respectively, in thek same relative positions to the thresher and stripper.

.8. In combination in a broomV-corn harvesting and threshing machine, means for gathering and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, means for threshing the seeds from the bush .ends of the tops and for stripping the boots therefrom, and a collector between the gatherer Vand thresher, said collector being in the form of a con'- veyer and embracing a plurality of shallow pans for receiving the tops fromV the gatherer and for delivering the `same to the thresher and stripper, said pans being inclined downward from the gatherer so that the stalks slide down the same, and a stop plate at the lower ends of the pans to pre-` vent thc tops from sliding out of the pans.

9. In combination in a machine for harvesting and threshing broom-corn, means for gathering and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, means for threshing the seeds from the bush .ends of the tops and j for stripping the boots therefrom, and a col-y lector between the gatherer and thresher for` receiving the'tops from the former and delivering them to the latter, said'collector.

being inthe form of a conveyer and einbracing a plurality of shallow pans arranged at an inclination downward from the gatherer, said pans being shallower along one side than the other and having laterally projecting flanges extending over the shallower portions of adjacent pans to prevent the tops falling into the spaces between the pans.

l0. In con'ibination in a machine for harvesting and threshing ln'oom-corn, stalk gathering means and cooperating cutting means for severing the tops from the'standing .stalks the machine is advanced, and means for tlireshing thebush ends vof the tops and in'm'iediately thereafter stripping the boots therefrom, said gatherer .einbracing two pairs of conveyor chains arranged one above the other for carrying the tops in an upright position after leavingthe cutting means, and a channel bar beneath the lower chains for supportingV the severed tops. Y

ll.V In combination in a machine for harvesting and threshing broom-corn, means for gathering and cutting the tops `from the standing stalks, means for j threshing the bush ends of the tops and immediately thereafter stripping the boots therefrom, a collector between the gatherer and thresher, a stop at the delivery end ofthe gatherer to arrest thelower ends of the tops as theyA collector, a stop at the delivery end of saidv chains to arrest the lower ends ot the tops asthey leave the chains, and auxiliary conveyer chains to carry the upper ends of the tops rearward beyond the gatherer to cause the tops to tip over backwards and drop into said collector. Y

13. In combination a broom-corn harvesting machine, stalkgathering means eml'iraeing' two pairs of conveyer chains one above "the other for engaging the standing stalks, cuuting` means associated with the lower chains tor cutting the tops trom the stalks, av channel bar beneath the lower chains extending rearward from the cutter 'for supporting the severed tops while carried along by the chains, means iiorming" a pocket at the discharge end of said bar-and ext-endingbelow the same so that the topsy drop into said pocket on leaving said bar, and auxiliary conveyer chains arranged above the pocket and extending rearward therefrom for carrying the upper lends or the tops rearward and causing the topsV to tip over backwards on leaving said chains.V

14. Infcombination in a' broom-corn harvesting machine, means tor gathering and cutting` thetops 'trom the standingstalks, seed threshing means 4and boot stripping` neans arrangedone in advance ot the other, and coi'iveying means 'for carrying the severed tops from 'he gatherer past the Athr'es iingand boot stripping means, said conveying means grasping the tops at their boot ends while conveying the tops past the threshing means and grasping the tops at their bush ends while conveying thevtops past the v.stripping means.

15." In `combination in a `broom-corn harvesting machine, means for gathering and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, a seed stripping cylinder, a collector at the delivery end of the `gatherer for receiving the severedV tops and aligning their bush and boot ends, respectively, and a conveyer for receiving the tops 'from the collector and engaging vthe tops at their boot ends .for carrying theirbush ends along and over the upper periphery oi said cylinder1 said conveyer being` arranged at a downward inclination sofas to increase the engagement of the bushl ends with the cylinderas ythe'tops are carried pastthesame.

16. In combinationlin a broom-corn harvest-ingmachin'e, means tor gathering and cutting the tops Vfrom the standing stalks, boot stripping means, a seed threshing cylinder between the boot stripper and the gatherer, a conveyer chain for carrying the tops' past the threshing` cylinder, said chain having sharp prongs to engage the'boot ends of the tops, 'a guard associated with the prongs to hold the :tops'thereon while moving past said cylinder, and 'means for stripping the tops from the prongs at the delivery end of the chain.

17. In combination in a broom-corn harvesting machine, means ior gathering and cutting thc tops iroi'n the standing stalks, seed threshing and Aboot stripping means arranged one in advance ot the other, means for conveying the tops rOnrthe gatherer past the threshing and stripping means` the portion of the conveying' means past the stripping means emln'ac-ing upper and lower chains to grip the bush ends of the tops between them while the stripper removes thebocts from the tops.

18.*In combination in a machine for harvesting broom-corn, means for gathering and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, seed threshing and boot stripping means arranged one in advance 01' the other` and conveying means for carrying the tops past the thresher and stripper, the portion of the conveying means past the stripper consisting or' upper and lower endless chains with opposed leads engaged for gripping the bush ends ot the tops'between them, and means for holding the upper chain against the lower one so as to tightly grip the tops while being operated on by the boot stripper.

19. In combination ina broom-corn harvesting machine, means i'or gathering and cutting the tops 'from the standing stalks, .seed threshing means and a bladed boot stripping means, and conveyer means for carrying the tops from the gatherer pastthe thresher and stripper, said stripper means embracing a stripper wheel and a cooperating roll with the blades on the wheel engaging `the under side of the roll for stripping the boots from the tops.

20. In combination in a broom-corn harvesting maehine, means for gathering and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, seed threshing and boot stripping means, means for conveying the tops past the threshing and stripping means, said stripping means embracing a stripper wheel and a co-operating roll abovethe same, said wheel having stripper blades at its periphery and arranged to extend spirally across the wheel.

21. In combination in a machine for harvesting broonicorn, means for gathering and cutting the tops from Ythe st-anding stalks, seed threshing and boot stripping means, and means for conveying the tops past the threshing and boot stripping means, said stripping means consisting of a stripper wheel and a cooperating roll, said wheel having stripper blades to engage'the roll and said blades being yieldably connectedV with said wheel.

tending spirally across said hub portion, bars in said grooves, radial arms connecting the bars with said blades, and resilient bands about the hub portion and engaging the bars tor yieldably connecting the blades with said wheel.

2a. A boot stripping wheel for broom-corn harvesting machines, said wheel having a hub portion, curved blades at the periphery or' the wheel and extending. spirally across the hub portion, radial arms connecting the blades with said hub portion, said blades having their outer edges notched or serrated.

25. In combination in a broomcorn harvesting machine, stalk gathering means con sisting oi two pairs of upper and lower conveyer chains, cutting means associated with the lower pair o'f chains for severing the tops irom the standing stalks, a collector at the rear end ot' the gatherer, a pairv of auxiliary chains extending rearward 'trom the gatherer tor carrying the upper ends ol the tops rearward beyond. the gatherer when their lower ends are released therefrom :for tipping the tops backward and dropping them into the collector, guide bars extending rearward from the auxiliary chains to prevent the tops tipping sideways, and seed threshing and boot stripping means associated with said collector.

26. In combination in a broom-corn harvesting machine, a stalk gatherer consisting of two pairs or' upper and lower eonveyer chains, cutting means beneath the lower chains for severing the tops from the standing stalks, a channel bar beneath the lower chains 'for supporting the tops after leaving the cutting means, said cutting means including a blade and a rotatable toothed wheel cooperating therewith, said blade having a rear portion extending to said bar for continuing the support for the tops from the blade to the bar, and seed threshing and boot stripping means associated with the gatherer for operating on the tops after leaving the same.

27. In combination in a broom-corn harvesting inachine, a stalk gatherer consisting of two pairs of upperand lower chains, cutting means for severing the tops from the standing stalks, said cutting means including a blade and a rotary toothed wheel, said blade and wheel being adjustably mounted on the frame of the gatherer, and means for threshing the bush ends of the stalks and Cil stripping the boots therefrom aft-er the topsl I leave said cutting means.

28. In combination in a broom-corn harvesting machine, a stalk gatherer consisting of upper and lower pairs of conveyer chains, cutting means associated with the lower chains for severing the tops from the standing stalks, said chains having iront shafts,

brackets serving as journals for said shafts,

and means for adjustably connecting the brackets with the frame of the gatherer for regulating the tension of the chains.

29. In combination in a machinev for harvesting and threshing broom-corn, means for gathering and cutting the tops from the standing stalks, adjustable cu-tting means for severing the boots romthe tops at the joints therewith, a collector between Vthe gatherer and adjustable cutter for delivering the tops thereto, guide bars carried by the adjustable cutting means iior'remo'ving the tops from the collector, and means il'or threshing the bush ends of the tops and thereafter stripping the boots therefrom. i Intestimony whereof we ati'iX our signatures.

SIVERT UDSTAD. ywiLLiAM rr. ownns. 

